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8th Amendment Committee makes first steps towards Repeal

The 8th Amendment Committee this evening made its first steps towards the Repeal of the 8th Amendment after long deliberations all day.

Sinn Féin’s three members of the Committee, and twelve other members, voted to end module one of the Committee by voting for an interim proposal put by Sinn Féin which states that the committee recommends "not to retain Article 40.3.3 in full".

The vote was passed by 15 votes for yes, 3 no, and 2 abstentions.

"The Committee has therefore recommended a referendum and that the status quo cannot be maintained."

Sinn Féin had submitted a motion today stating: 'The Committee recommends the holding of a referendum to repeal Article 40.3.3 from Bunreacht na hÉireann.' This motion will now be voted on at a later date.

Some members of the committee, particularly those from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, attempted to delay this important first step towards the full Repeal of the 8th Amendment from the Constitution.

We did not support this further delay and, in order to progress the work of the Committee, we put forward this interim motion to guarantee a referendum.

We will continue to work towards the full Repeal of the 8th Amendment and today is but an important and significant first step on that journey.